Icy future

The tiny Nordic nation of Iceland’s World Cup success is no fluke and has lessons for us, said columnist Lesley Riddoch. She praised Icelandic moves to place young people on a healthy path. The fact that possibly the SNP’S biggest fan wants to see more participation in sport at the local level when the SNP in government has massively cut local council budgets is an irony that seems to have been lost on this journalist.

Soracte Ah Iceland, where a cappuccino will set you back £4, a pint of beer £8, average lunch over £20, dinner without wine £30-50. Average house price is £315k compared to around £200k here. Then there’s income tax – Icelandic workers pay between 36 and 46 per cent tax. Riddoch is giving her rose tinted view of her beloved Nordic nations, but never the downside.

Mary Young